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CHURCH MAGAZINE - MARCH 2010
Dear friends, Last month, in my first newsletter of 2010 I challenged us all to become more passionate about our God. I did this because I see this action, above all others, as the way to transform our worship and prayer life and ultimately to spill out into our communities. So this month, I want to explore a little more just how we might become more passionate towards our God. February 14th was St. Valentine’s Day, and the shops were all geared up to entice us to buy that special card and present to show the one we love that we really mean it. Of course it’s good business for card shops, florists jewellers and restaurants, but do we really need one special day designated to demonstrate love? The answer is obviously yes, judging by the business that such a day generates, but it also emphasises a trait in human nature that the business world has been quick to exploit. We all have the ability to love because we are created in the image of God, and God is love. Although we all have this ability, none of us are totally committed to it, and so such a day galvanises us into action. But the real question is why are none of us totally committed to love?
The answer must surely be because it takes effort to continually love someone, effort to overcome our basic selfish human nature and think more of that other person than we do of ourselves. If this is true of our human relationships that are real and tangible, then how much more true and harder is it, for our relationship with God who is unseen? It is at this point that God comes to our aid. For you see Jesus made a promise to His disciples before He ascended into heaven, “I myself will send upon you what my Father has promised. But you must wait in the city until the power from above comes down upon you (Luke 24:49). Now we understand this power from above to be none other than the Holy Spirit, (Acts. 2:4) who wishes to fill every follower of Jesus, and give them the power to overcome selfishness and to love others as Jesus did. Love, more than anything else, is the hallmark of the Spirit’s presence.
Paul says that the fruit of the Spirit is love (Gal. 5:22). Our ability to love God who we have not seen, is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. That is why our own spirit leaps within us and cries “Abba! Father!” (Rom.8:15). We have experienced within our hearts the amazing love of God. He loves us not because of, but in spite of, all the things that would otherwise make us unlovable. This is the surest sign of the Spirit’s activity. For not only does He give us a personal experience of the love of God, but He also gives us the ability to love Him in return. It naturally follows, therefore, that if our love for God has waned, then it must be due to the fact that we have restricted the work of the Holy Spirit. Paul urges the Ephesians in his letter to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18). In other words we should be asking God for an infilling every day. Sadly, just as St Valentine’s Day is a one off occasion that reminds us to love, so, far too often I believe, we neglect the work of the Holy Spirit until we celebrate Pentecost again on another one off occasion. This is why Paul prayed this prayer for the Church at Ephesus. “I ask God from the wealth of His glory to give you power through His Spirit to be strong in your inner selves, and I pray that Christ will make His home in your hearts through faith. I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love, so that you, together with all God’s people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ’s love. Yes, may you come to know His love – although it can never be fully known – and so be completely filled with the very nature of God.” (Eph. 3:16-19).
If we are to recapture the love of God that we had when we first became Christian then I believe that we need to be praying for an infilling of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. In his book “I believe in the Church” David Watson writes this, “The world today is suffocated with words, but starved of love. A truly loving fellowship will therefore act like a magnet. Nothing can substitute for love; it is the greatest thing in all the world, and it is the foremost concern of the Holy Spirit to pour God’s love into the hearts of His people. Without that love we are nothing, and have nothing to offer to a hungry world.” If we want our fellowships to grow then the community in which we are placed has got to see and feel our love. A magnet only works when it comes into close proximity with the metal it is trying to attract.
An infilling of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis should allow us to follow the way of Jesus more closely. After washing His disciples’ feet, Jesus explained, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:15). As Jesus was in the upper room on the eve of His crucifixion, He prayed for all who would believe in Him, saying to His Father, “I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them” (John 17:26). Then, on the cross Jesus prays a prayer that perhaps gets at the heart of why we find it so difficult to continue to love unreservedly. Jesus prayed, “Forgive them, Father! They don’t know what they are doing.” Unconfessed sin and unhealed hurts from the past can become blockages that prevent us from growing in love. Paul recognised this and so wrote a whole chapter in his letter to the Corinthians, to define and teach them about God’s love. He also wrote to the Colossians in the same vain, “bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col. 3:13).
My friends, in this year of emphasis on prayer, I believe we should be praying, “Lord, fill me daily with your Holy Spirit and show me how I can be a better witness to the love of Jesus in my community.”
Your friend and Minister Derek.
Women’s World Day of Prayer Friday 5th March at 2.00 pm - All Saints Church
Speaker; Mrs. Susan Roberts St. Albans Diocesan President of the Mothers’ Union Refreshments will be served after the service
This year the service has been prepared by the Christian women of Cameroon and is entitled “Let Everything That Has Breath Praise God”
To the fellowship:-
I wish to thank those who sent ‘Get Well’ cards, visited me in hospital and at home and ‘phoned me after my knee operation (which was a success this time!).
On the first Sunday in hospital, I was looking at the clock thinking of our Service at Hertford, when a gentleman came to the ward asking if anyone wanted to go to a Service in their Chapel in the Hospital. It was a prayer answered (again). Communion, short sermon and three hymns – Simon, the minister, was a lovely man. Then back to the ward for lunch – Heaven sent!
God Bless and love Janet Farley
ACTIVE RETIRED GROUP
Further details from Val Bateman
on 01992 464471 who should be contacted without delay if you wish to go
on either or both of these outings.
SOCIAL COMMITTEE
Don't forget to make a note in your
diary of the Coffee Morning in the church on Saturday 15th May from
10.00am until noon. This will take the form of a social event for our
fellowship as well as perhaps attracting the general public. Unlike
previous coffee mornings, we aim to keep this one as simple as possible
with just a cake stall and possibly plants and a few books for holiday
reading on a bring and buy basis. Any money we make on this venture we
propose donating to Hertford Street Pastors who badly need financial
support.
So far, there are not many names on the list in the vestibule. If you are interested in either of the suggested venues or have any other ideas, please write them on the list as soon as possible so that the necessary arrangements can be made. It will then be possible to work out the cost per head. Remember, people who are not connected with the church are also welcome so perhaps you have friends or relatives who would like to be included. Don Richardson HERTFORD AND DISTRICT CHURCHES TOGETHER
Lent Lunches: continue every Wednesday throughout Lent. Our church will be hosting coffee and lunches with the Friends’ Meeting House on 10th March. If you haven’t been able to attend before, please join us on that day to share a simple lunch together, cost £3.00 for soup. cheese sandwiches, fruit and coffee/tea.
Lent Courses: continue at various locations through the week. Derek is leading a course on Friday afternoons at 2.30 pm in the church vestry, all are welcome.
Hertford Market Stall: Saturday 27th March. This will be run by representatives from all the Hertford churches handing out Easter Eggs and information on all the Easter Services locally.
Good Friday Witness: 2nd April in Bircherley Green will be organised by the Hertford Community Church and will start at 10.30am Hot Cross Buns and Hot drinks will be available at the URC in the large hall from 9.30am.
Future Plans arising from a meeting of the CT Executive Committee 28.1.10:
If you think you could help with the market stall on 27th March – please speak to Ron Andrews
The Gift of Faith by Sally Roberts
Faith is the certain knowledge that as long as time there will always be a star and the brightness of the moon to light the sky While there are birds to fly there will always be a tree to cool them in the sun and shelter them from icy winds that blow. Tho’ bare and cold the earth may be. Thro’ winter’s darkest days, little flowers begin to wake ‘neath nature’s gentle touch bringing with spring an earth reborn and beauty we love so much in the brightness of a daffodil A snowdrop pure and small Wee baby birds and budding trees A sudden ray of sun All this we see if in our heart is Faith That will not dim, for all these gifts are gifts of “God” And no-one else but Him. I thank you Lord I heard you call, For all you have given me I thank you for the beauty of creation that I see Within my heart I feel the warmth of knowing you are near, as sure as spring and Easter-tide come to us year by year As each year blooms’ multiply and brighter comes the view, So I become more thankful For the GIFT OF FAITH and YOU
Don has a large screen (32") Panasonic colour television set which is looking for a new home. The TV is in perfect condition and has been trouble-free during the six years since Don purchased it new. If anyone is interested, let Don know and it can be viewed at Don's home address at 10 Fordwich Rise. Tel.No: 581566.
1st March - St David’s Day
1 March is St David’s Day, and it’s time for the Welsh to wear daffodils or leeks. Shakespeare called this custom ‘an honourable tradition begun upon an honourable request’ - but nobody knows the reason. Why should anyone have ever ‘requested’ that the Welsh wear leeks or daffodils to honour their patron saint? It’s a mystery! We do know that David - or Dafydd - of Pembrokeshire was a monk and bishop of the 6th century. In the 12th century he was made patron of Wales, and he has the honour of being the only Welsh saint to be canonised and culted in the Western Church. Tradition has it that he was austere with himself, and generous with others - living on water and vegetables (leeks, perhaps?!) and devoting himself to works of mercy. He was much loved. In art, St David is usually depicted in Episcopal vestments, standing on a mound with a dove at his shoulder, in memory of his share at an important Synod for the Welsh Church, the Synod of Brevi.
14th March - Mothering Sunday
There is an old Jewish saying:
The Mayor’s Party will be held on Wednesday 7th April. If you are over 75 and would like to attend please contact Frances Spence. We will be hosting a table and offers of cake and sandwich making would be gratefully accepted.
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